The Headache Epidemic

Over the past few decades, chronic migraine headaches
have increased dramatically (up ~60%) among the population in the
United States. Most of this increase has occurred among adults younger
than 45 years of age, and women are slightly more affected than men.

One
study showed that 80% of women and 70% of men reporting chronic
migraine headaches had at least one physician contact per year because
of migraine headaches and 8% of women and 7% of men were hospitalized at
least once a year because of the condition. In addition, chronic
migraine headaches had a substantial impact on functional capacity with
4% of men and 3% of women reporting a chronic limitation in their normal
activities because of migraine headaches and associated symptoms.

Clearly
headaches are having a big impact on society today, with major dollars
spent on disability payments, hospitalizations, doctor visits, and
medication prescriptions. Most patients also self-medicate with
over-the-counter drugs. The use of these drugs has increased
exponentially over the past 10+ years. All of this “treatment” has had
little effect on the occurrence of headaches, nor do they provide any
sort of lasting cure.

The chiropractic approach to headaches is
much different. The chiropractor looks at injuries to the spine (e.g.
sprain/subluxation), which affect the nervous system. Headaches are just
one of many symptoms than can occur when the spine is injured.

Rather
than masking the symptom with ineffective and potentially unsafe
medications, the chiropractor treats the cause of the problem.
Scientific studies have shown this approach to have merit. The
chiropractor will use specific adjustments and postural exercises to
improve how your spine functions, which may in turn reduce your need for
medications, lower the intensity of the pain, or even eliminate the
headaches altogether.

Only a comprehensive examination will
determine if you are a good candidate for chiropractic care. The
examination should include a detailed history of how the pain has
affected your life, tests of your nervous system, and possibly an x-ray
examination to see how the vertebrae are positioned in your neck.

If
you are a part of the headache epidemic, it can be a sign that you have
a spinal condition the a doctor of chiropractic may be able to help.
Remember, taking medications to cover-up the problem rarely makes the
actual problem go away.

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This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.